Have you heard of DROP in California? When you apply for a mortgage, refinance your home, or even begin researching homeownership, you share a significant amount of personal information. Income details, addresses, family information, and financial records all become part of the process. What many buyers and homeowners don’t realize is that this data can travel far beyond your lender — often ending up in the hands of data brokers.
That’s where DROP comes in.
DROP is a new California program designed to give residents more control over their personal information. It’s especially important for anyone navigating the mortgage, refinancing, or real estate process.
What Is DROP?
DROP allows California residents to request that registered data brokers delete their personal information and stop selling it.
Data brokers collect and sell wide ranges of personal data, which may include:
- Contact and address information
- Property and housing history
- Household and family details
- Search history and online activity
- In some cases, highly sensitive personal data
DROP gives you a centralized, state-supported way to limit how that information is collected, shared, and sold.
Why DROP Matters for Mortgage Clients
As mortgage professionals, we see how quickly clients begin receiving increased spam calls, emails, and text messages once their information enters the system. Unfortunately, that also includes scam attempts that impersonate lenders, title companies, or even AI-generated versions of real people.
Using DROP can help reduce:
- Unwanted spam calls, emails, and texts
- Fraud and identity theft risks
- Mortgage-related scams during active transactions
- Data exposure during major financial decisions
In an era of frequent data breaches and AI impersonation, protecting your personal information is no longer optional — it’s part of smart financial planning.
Is DROP Safe?
Yes. DROP is:
- Free — there is no cost to use the service
- Secure — your information is protected and encrypted
- Privacy-focused — your data is used only to process your request and is never sold
You also choose how much information you provide. Data brokers typically only need basic identifying information to locate and delete your records.
Who Is Eligible to Use DROP?
To submit a request, you must be a California resident.
Residency is verified through the California Identity Gateway, the state’s secure digital platform. You do not need to create an account, and your information is not retained long-term by DROP.
In some cases, a request can be submitted on behalf of another California resident, such as:
- A parent submitting for a child
- A family member assisting an elderly relative
How it Works
The process is straightforward and can be completed in just a few steps:
- Verify eligibility by confirming California residency
- Create a profile with basic information (you control what you share)
- Submit your request, which DROP sends to over 500 registered data brokers
Will Using DROP Change Your Online Experience?
Possibly. You may notice fewer targeted ads or less personalized content online. For most people, this is a small trade-off for increased privacy, reduced spam, and improved security.
Why We Share This With Our Mortgage Clients
Jackie Barikhan says, “Buying or refinancing a home involves sensitive financial and personal information. As experienced mortgage professionals, we see that our role goes beyond securing loan approval. We help clients protect themselves before, during, and after the transaction.”
Understanding tools like DROP is part of being an informed borrower — and working with a lender who prioritizes your long-term security. DROP gives California residents something that hasn’t existed before: real control over personal data.
If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage, refinance, or make a major financial move, taking steps to limit how your information is shared can reduce stress, risk, and unwanted distractions.
If you have questions about how data privacy fits into the mortgage process — or want guidance from an experienced lender who takes your security seriously — we’re always here to help. Contact us any time to learn more!
